Manifesto: On the internet there is a gigantic quantity of optical disc image files in numerous formats. Countless times we need to burn some of them. Some time ago I needed it, but I came across a file format extremely irritating for a Free Software user like me: a CD layout descriptor file, with .ccd suffix, generated by a proprietary software called CloneCD. I searched the internet for a way to burn that file on the GNU+Linux-Libre system, but I only found a lot of people asking for a solution on a lot of forums, and getting the unanimous answer: no way! At first I could not believe at that point there was no option. Then, with a little bit of patience and research, I wrote some code to convert that files to a format much more common and accessible, an ad-hoc standard in the GNU operating system: the CUE sheet format. So I could burn a lot of what I wanted! I wondered whether it would be useful for others… and here is the result!
There is a well known and widely employed proprietary optical disc authoring software called CloneCD1 which is intended to make a nearly exact copy of audio and/or data optical discs for archival and/or reproduction purposes. When making a copy of an optical disc to hard disk that program can output three files: audio/data raw image, sub-channel data and layout description. The GNU ccd2cue program operates exclusively on the latter to produce a hopefully equivalent2 layout description in the CUE sheet format and possibly a companion CD-Text meta-data file. Since there are free software packages that can easily and fully handle CUE sheet files, this frees the user from the temptation to use a proprietary program or from the burden of searching for the desired disc data into a supposedly more free software friendly format.
One such program capable of burning a raw image file laid out by a CUE sheet file, as well as converting a CUE sheet file to the TOC sheet format, is cdrdao.
Notably, GNU ccd2cue can handle:
This manual is split in two major logical segments: instruction and reference. In the former resides the manual content targeted to instructional, reasonably tutorial, use. It is composed of the following chapters:
General information about purpose, distribution, copying, community, contribution and donation for this package.
Presents information specifically relevant for the current release or subject to change between releases.
Teach how the program works from the user’s perspective;
Guides the reader step-by-step in using the program for practical common use cases.
Concerns ccd2cue invocation syntax, accepted options and
their meanings.
Gives an important warning and advice about burning the resulting CUE sheet. READ THAT!
In the latter, one can find the reference material comprised of the following appendices:
Describes some Compact Disc information that are common concepts to CCD and CUE sheet formats.
Describes the CCD sheet format (at least the part we know about — it is a reverse engineering process, and you are encouraged to help).
Describes the CUE sheet format.
Now that you are acquainted with the program and documentation, HAPPY HACKING!
Designed to run on an equally freedom-restricting and user-subjugating platform known as Microsoft Windows.
As far as possible to the full extent of CUE sheet format expressiveness.
A sheet describing the layout of a disc which contains simultaneously audio and data tracks.
A method for storing disc and track relevant information (like album, song and artist names) on a standard compliant audio CD.
In-disc information that determines copy restriction (very sad!) and audio track characteristics like 4 channel audio and track pre-emphasis.